What Can be Done to Make the Art Buying Experience Less Intimidating?
I’ve
been on the ‘inside’ of the art world for quite some time, but not so
long that I’ve forgotten how confusing and intimidating it can be to
shop for art. There was a time not so
long ago that even I was afraid to go into certain New York
City art galleries.
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| Two visitors taking their time looking at my (Re)calling and (Re)telling series installed at
El Taller Boricua Gallery, New York.
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Let’s face it folks—the art snob intimidation factor at many
galleries is quite high. I was reading an article not to long ago in which world famous/fabulous fashion designer Marc Jacobs admitted to being too intimidated to go shopping for art. If
Marc frakin' Jacobs found the experience of shopping for art intimidating, how
on earth can a non-art, non-millionaire “everyday” person be expected to feel comfortable shopping for art?
And buying art should be an enjoyable
experience, no? I refuse to believe that the fun only begins when you
unwrap and install a new artwork in your home. The looking, thinking, and experiencing stage is a hugely important part of
the process.
Most people say the main reason they
don’t buy original artwork is because of the price, but I'm convinced that half
of the problem lies within the actual buying process itself.
The traditional model of selling art in galleries has removed people from the experience of art, let alone the experience of buying art.
The traditional model of selling art in galleries has removed people from the experience of art, let alone the experience of buying art.
Aside from those people who are
especially motivated to take a drawing class or enjoy painting as a
weekend hobby, very few people feel connected to art in the same
immediate way that they feel connected to music for instance.
The whole
experience of viewing, understanding, buying, and just interacting with
art and the very real people who make art has become almost
alien.
So I'm just throwing this out there:
What can be done to make the art buying experience less intimidating?
So I'm just throwing this out there:
What can be done to make the art buying experience less intimidating?
What can be done to make art more accessible to would-be collectors?
What can be done to demystify the art buying process?
What role might artists play in making art buying a more accessible?
What can be done to make the entire idea of “art” less foreign to the “everyday” people?
What can be done to make the entire idea of “art” less foreign to the “everyday” people?
Note: No blaming or finger-pointing allowed. Let's talk about the possibilities.
Let's brainstorm some solutions!
Leave your thoughts, ideas, experiences in the comments section.
BIG Love,
-Kesha★
It's happening all by itself. Galleries are failing. (I suspect a snobby attitude only accelerates the process.) Artists and collectors are learning how to connect directly. It's a brave new world.
ReplyDeleteBarbara- I agree that the galleries who do manage to weather this insane economic storm are the ones who have built strong relationships with their audience and collector base. Brave new world indeed!
ReplyDeleteI think that perhaps publishing pamphlets, booklets, posters, or large ads with 5 steps to buying art you love would help. Most people don't know where to go and are also worried about buying "bad" art. What is bad art? What is ART? How do you know when buying a piece is a good idea? The best thing to do is interview average people about what makes them feel most intimidated and setting up a website dedicated to making the art buying process fun instead of a self esteem crushing journey into self consciousness. Thus far there is no material available to help people buy art and make them feel comfortable with their decisions. I am glad you brought this up because I think it's a great time to start on this. :)
ReplyDeleteHaving material printed, posters, and a website dedicated to showing people how to buy art would demystify the process quite a bit. I'm glad you brought this up because I would like to aid in that cause myself. :)
ReplyDeleteIt seems buying on the internet isn't so intimidating...
ReplyDelete